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Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 1:36 pm
by Smoove_B
I try not to be paranoid, but after 20+ years of owning a computer, my gut is telling me this is a sign of bigger things to come.
While working last night (screen capturing a lecture) my monitor randomly power cycled - powered down and then came back. In the 4+ years I've owned my computer, that's never happened (monitor is slightly older). I had something very similar happen with my last computer and it was (I think) related to the video card not getting enough power. However, it was happening in games and would crash to desktop. When this happened, there was no change - it was like I powered it off and then back on (Powerpoint and the screen capture software was still running). No errors in Win10 reported (like a display driver crash); everything is updated/current (because that's how I roll).
After it happened I ran a demanding video game (Max Payne 3) to stress the system and see if there were any problems; there were none.
I opened the case, cleaned out some dust and it's been running (idle/desktop) all morning without any problems.
What say you?
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:39 pm
by coopasonic
If it happens more often, try replacing the cable first. Cheapest potential solution. Alternatively, buy a new killer PC and a huge 4k monitor, just to be safe.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:42 pm
by Anonymous Bosch
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 1:36 pm
I try not to be paranoid, but after 20+ years of owning a computer, my gut is telling me this is a sign of bigger things to come.
While working last night (screen capturing a lecture) my monitor randomly power cycled - powered down and then came back. In the 4+ years I've owned my computer, that's never happened (monitor is slightly older). I had something very similar happen with my last computer and it was (I think) related to the video card not getting enough power. However, it was happening in games and would crash to desktop. When this happened, there was no change - it was like I powered it off and then back on (Powerpoint and the screen capture software was still running). No errors in Win10 reported (like a display driver crash); everything is updated/current (because that's how I roll).
After it happened I ran a demanding video game (Max Payne 3) to stress the system and see if there were any problems; there were none.
I opened the case, cleaned out some dust and it's been running (idle/desktop) all morning without any problems.
What say you?
What do you have it plugged into? If it's just connected to a regular power strip or plugged directly into a power outlet, it may behoove you to use a
decent Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with automatic voltage regulation instead.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:44 pm
by Isgrimnur
coopasonic wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:39 pm
If it happens more often, try replacing the cable first. Cheapest potential solution. Alternatively, buy a new killer PC and a huge 4k monitor, just to be safe.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:44 pm
by Smoove_B
coopasonic wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:39 pm
If it happens more often, try replacing the cable first. Cheapest potential solution.
Good idea. I'm pretty sure I have quite a few cables sitting around so that won't be an issue.
Alternatively, buy a new killer PC and a huge 4k monitor, just to be safe.
I know, right?
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 2:45 pm
by Smoove_B
It is in a power strip (Belkin) but I hadn't thought about a UPS (which I should probably do anyway). Good idea.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:11 pm
by Kasey Chang
There's a difference between a power strip (no protection) vs. a surge protector (over-volt protection)... vs a UPS (full power conditioning AND backup power).
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:17 pm
by Smoove_B
Just to confirm, it's a power strip with surge protection. It's not a UPS.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:23 pm
by gilraen
Does your monitor have any lit buttons, that would stay lit but just change color, based on whether the computer was on or off? (like a green power button that turns red or orange). Basically if the monitor loses power, then all lights would go off. If it's just losing the signal from the video card, then presumably the button color would change, but it would still be lit.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:42 pm
by Smoove_B
It does. It went from blue light (power) to amber light (plugged in, but off). That's why I thought it might be a video card signal issue and not the monitor. But it was so weird, I really didn't know what to make of it.
I'm definitely thinking about a new monitor. I' don't need anything crazy (current is 21.5" running at 1900 x 1080) because my video card is the bottleneck here (NVIDIA 970).
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:00 pm
by LordMortis
How is your computer connected to your monitor?
I've seen too many cases of USBC3 and/or Display Port connected monitors cutting signals by either power savings or driver update checks.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:14 pm
by Smoove_B
DVI cable.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 5:12 pm
by hitbyambulance
Kasey Chang wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 3:11 pm
There's a difference between a power strip (no protection) vs. a surge protector (over-volt protection)... vs a UPS (full power conditioning AND backup power).
my computer is routed through a line conditioner (not a power strip or UPS) my dad made for his work at Control Data back in the 80s
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:14 pmDVI cable.
are the fastener screws locked in tight? also third the suggestion of trying a different DVI cable.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 8:24 pm
by Kasey Chang
That does sound like a dying mon then.
I had a VERY old 28-inch monitor from way back way like that. Even though it's that large, it was only 1280x1024, from Soyo, if anyone remembers that brand.
Video started to flicker every once in a while. Then more often. Then one day it just died altogether. It's an LCD too.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 6:38 am
by LordMortis
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 4:14 pmDVI cable.
Is there another monitor in the house to swap with then? My first suspicion would be dying monitor unless something was moved or jostled recently, then it would be loose cable.
Re: Random monitor power cycle
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2020 9:06 am
by Daehawk
*unplugs monitor randomly 3 or 4 times*
*Posts on OO about monitor going on and off randomly 3 or 4 times*
*Asks "I should get a bigger better monitor right?" on OO*
*Takes results to wife for proof*
